Hinge construction



Nov. 10, 1964 c. w. SEAVER HINGE CONSTRUCTION Filed June 7, 1961 INVENTOE CHARLES w ssnvee 2% ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,156,756 HINGE CONSTRUCTIUN Charles W. Seaver, Needharn, Mass, assignor to American Optical Company, Southbridge, Mass, a voluntary association of Massachusetts Filed June 7, 1961, Ser. No. 115,488 2. Claims. (Cl. 88--53) This invention relates to hinges and has particular reference to an improved hinge construction especially for use in pivotally connecting the temples to the front frame portion of an ophthalmic mounting such as a spectacle, sunglass, or the like.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a hinge construction of the above character which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and by means of which the temple portion may be easily and quickly assembled to the front frame portion without requiring the use of tools.

Another object is to provide a two-part pinless hinge construction whose parts may be readily formed separately to interfittable shapes preferably by casting or molding and which may be readily snapped into inter-fitted operative relation with each other.

Another object is to providea hinge of the above character whose construction is such that its interfittable parts may be readily cast or molded simultaneously and integral with the respective parts of an article intended to employ the same.

Another object is to produce a spectacle hinge construction wherein a pair of rearwardly extending hinge leaves are provided on the frame or lens-supporting part of the spectacle each of which is provided with a pivot Opening, one normally being substantially coaxial with the other, and an interleaved hinge ear formed as an end section of a temple member having opposing coaxial pivot lugs seated one within each of said openings to hinge said tempie to said leaves.

Another object is to provide a construction of the above character wherein the hinge leaves are normally so spaced as to substantially completely contain the pivot lugs within the respective openings therein and provide a structure which is substantially permanently secure, rattle-free and not subject to the defects of becoming accidentally detached during use or permitting what is known in the trade as drop temple which results from loose, improperly fitted or worn connections.

Another object is to provide a hinge construction of the above character wherein a raised abutment is formed integral with the front between the hinge leaves and the temple hinge ear is provided with a protruding stop portion for engaging said abutment inwardly of said hinge leaves and to further provide a slot extending through the intermediate portion of the abutment to increase the resiliency of the hinge leaves.

A further object is to provide spaced perforated hinge leaves of the above character which are resilient in nature and adapted to spread apart sufficiently to enable the pivot lugs of the temple hinge ear to be forced in between the hinge leaves and be sprung into the perforations in making an assembly of the separably formed hin e parts and which, due to the tendency of the material of the hinge leaves to return to their initial set, will frictionally hold said hinge parts together.

A still further object is to provide strategically located recessed areas in portions of the hinge construction to increase the resiliency of the hinge leaves and facilitate the assembly of the temple hinge ear therewith without sacrifice of stability or secureness in me final assembiy of said parts.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be 3,156,756 Patented Nov. 10, 1964 come apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a spectacle frame which is provided with hinges of the character of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one end of the spectacle frame illustrating details of one of the hinges;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged plan view of the hinge construction with the separable parts thereof shown in readiness for assembly;

PEG. 4 is a cross-sectional view such as would be seen if taken along line 4P4 of FIG. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows but showing the assembly procedure somewhat fur-ther in progress than it is shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged plan view of the completed hinge assembly with portions thereof broken away to reveal certain featured parts thereof;

FlG. 6 is a fiagrnentary rear elevational view of one end portion of the spectacle frame with the respective temple removed therefrom;

FIG. 7 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIG. 8 iilustrates a modification of the invention.

In referring more particularly to the drawings, it will be seen that there is shown in FIG. 1 a spectacle mounting it? which embodies the usual lens-supporting frame section or front 12. and a pair of rearwardly directed temples 14 and 16 each pivotally connected to the front 12 by means of a hinge 1%.

This invention is directed primarily to the construction of the hinges 18 and the related parts of the spectacle mounting 10 such as the construction of the means for controlling the so-c alled set-back of the temples to meet the requirements of different individual wearers of such spectacles.

In describing the hinge construction 18 of the invention, it will be noted that the parts thereof will be referred to as being formed integral with the two parts to be pivotally interconnected. However, it should be understood that the hinge 18 may be formed by casting, molding and/ or machining. Such a hinge is shown in FIG. 8 and will be described in detail hereinafter.

Referring now to FIGS. 17, it will be seen that the hinges 18 each embody a two-part construction wherein one part, namely that which embodies the two integrally related leaves 20 and 22, is formed by molding, casting or machining as a portion of the spectacle front 12 (see FIG. 6). The other part of each of the hinges 18 comprises a hinge ear 24 having a main body section from which a pair of coaxial pivot lugs 26 and 23 extend in opposing relation to each other. The hinge ears 24 are formed as integral end portions of the respective temples 14 and 6. The hinge construction involving the lefthand temple 14 will be describeclin detail, it being understood that the other hinge shown by dash outline in FIG. 1 for the righthand temple 16 is substantially identical.

The frame front 12 and temples 14 and 16 and their respective parts of the hinges 13 are fabricated by molding, casting and/or machining preferably entirely of a thermoplastic material such as cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, Lucite or the like or of thermosetting materials such as Bakelite or any of the phenolic resins.

in FIGS. 27, it will be seen that the integral hinge leaves it) and 22 extend rearwardly from the frame front 12 and are spaced apart a distance preferably equal to the thickness of the major portion or main body part of the hinge ear 24. It is pointed out at this time, however, that the hinge ear 24 is provided with a slightly oversized or thickened portion 3% (see FIG. 7) which extends back from a point adjacent the pivot lugs 26 and 28 toward that by providing the slightly thickened area 30 which is preferably about .020 inch thicker than the space between the leaves 2% and 22, it will produce a slight frictional drag or holding force on the temple when the hinge assembly is operated. This frictional effect prevents possible looseness and produces a rattle-free connection not subject to the commonly-known defect of drop temple. It can be seen that by providing the thickened or slightly oversized portion 36 preferably adjacent the rear or butt end of the hinge ear 24, wear is minimized since, while the ear-24 is tightly gripped by the hinge leaves 20 and 22, their resiliency at this point, which is away from their more rigid parts adjoining the frame front 12, is such as Y to permit free pivotal movement of the hinge ear 24 regardless of the slightly oversized portion of the hinge ear. Thus, throughout the more rigid or less resilient v portions of the leaves 29 and 22 adjacent the frame front,

the interleaved hinge ear 24 is provided with a maximum thickness dimension approximately equal to the spacing between the leaves 29 and 22 and adjacent the more 'resilient end. portions of the hinge leaves, the hinge ear 24 is thickened slightly toproduce a tightbut freely acting assembly.

The hinge leaves-'20 -and.22 are substantially identical in size and shape andare each provided with an opening 32 and 34 of such a controlled size in relation to the respective lugs 26 and 28 of thelhinge ear 24 as to pro- 4 vide a ratherintimate but .easily pivotable interfit therewith when the hinge assembly is made. The lug diameters are preferably .002 r..003 inch smaller than the 1. diameters oftheopenings .32. and 34 to bring about this effect of fit.

- With the hinge leaves in a normal position of use, the

openings 32 and 34 are'substantially coaxial.

. Infitting the hinge ear v24 between the hinge leaves 20 :and 22, the leaves are forced apart by an amount approximately equal to the maximum thickness of the hinge ear .asv taken. between the two opposing ends of the lugs 26 and 28 so as to provide a snap-in effect when the lugs 26 and 28 become aligned with the respective openings 32 and 34.

In order to facilitate. the insertion of the hinge car 24 .between the leaves Ztland 22, a slot 36 is provided in the frame front 12 between the leaves 20 and 22 to produce a thinning of the frame front 12 at this location (see FIGS. 4 and 6). and provide some added resiliency to the frame front 12 permitting the same to bend forward slightlyas shown in FIG. 4. This allows easier spreading of the leaves 20 and 22 than would otherwise be possible; The frame front 12, being formed of the 3 same resilient material as the leaves 20 and 22, returns to its initial shape once the snap-in assembly of the hinge ear 24 is completed. This is due to the fact that the r material of the leaves has a tendency to return to its initial set when deflected therefrom and thereafter released.

- In further easing the insertion of the hinge ear 24, it

4 can be. seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 that the lead-in portion 38 thereof is tapered at itsopposite sides 40 and 4-2 and the opposed ends of the lugs 26 and 23 are likewise beveled or slanted in the same direction while being provided with somewhat rounded edges (see FIG. 4).

In order to assure that the lugs 26 and 28 mate readily with the openings 32 and 34 when the hinge car 24 is pushed into the space between the leaves 2% and 22, relatively shallow guide slots 44 and 4 6 having angularly disposed cliff-like side walls are provided on the inner facing sides of the leaves 2i; and 22. These guide slots are of a depth considerably. less than the extentof protrusion of the lugs 26 and 28 from the hinge ear 24 and are of a width substantially equal to the diameters of the respective openings 32 and 34. The slots 44 and 46 lead from the outermost rear edges of the leaves centrally to the openings 32. Thus, with the lead-in portion 38 of the hinge ear 24 started between the leaves 20 and 22, the lugs are caused to enter the slots 44 and 46 (see FIG. 4) which guide them centrally to the openings 32 and 3 3 as the hinge ear is pushed into place.

When the lugs 26 and 28 become substantially coaxial with the respective openings 32 and 34 the resiliency of the hinge leaves 20 and 22 cause them to snap down over the lugs so as to pivotally interlock the hinge car 24 in place and the tendency of the material of said hinge leaves to return to their initial set tends to retain the lug and hinge leaf in desired frictional relation with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the assembly of the twopart hinge 13 is made with the temple 14 placedapproximately parallel to the frame front 12 so as to direct the tapered lead-in portion 38 of the hinge ear 24 toward the hinge leaves 20 and 22. The hinge car 24 is then pushed and snapped into place between the leaves 20 and 22 as described above preferably using only hand pr ssure. No great force is needed and the assembly procedure requires no tools or particular skills.

Once the assembly has been made, the temple 14 is properly hinged to the front to be moved either to opened position as shown in FIG. 5 so as to extend rearwardiy away from the frame front 12 or to closed position wherein it lies generally parallel to and/or against the rear of the frame front.

Since, in spectacle frames, it is required that the temples do not pivot outwardly beyond a position approximately such as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and S, a forwardly protruding stop 48 is provided at the terminal end of the hinge ear 24. This stop is designed to engage an abutment 50 which is formed integrally with the frame front 12 between and to lie within the sides of the hinge leaves20 and 22. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the abutment 50, which would normally add rigidity to the part of the front between the hinge leaves, is bifurcated by the slot 36 which extends therethrough and which, as mentioned above, is provided in the frame front 12 between the hinge leaves 20 and 22 to allow said hinge leaves to be more readily spread apart during assembly of the hinge parts.

As mentioned hereinabove, the hinge 18 need not be constructed as an integral part of the spectacle with which it is to be used and in FIG. 8 a hinge per se 18' is shown as a modification of the invention. In this case, the basic construction of the parts of the hinge 18 is identical in all respects to that described above with the exception that the integral supporting parts for the hinge leaves and the interleaved hinge ear are formed as hinge plates 52 and 54 respectively which may be attached to the frame front 12 and temples 14. The hinge plates 52 and 54 may be provided with openings 56 so as to be attachable to the spectacle front by screws, rivets or the like or, if formed of certain plastics theymay be attached by a suitable adhesive, solvents or the like.

The abutment and stop 48 of the hinge construction described with relation to FIGS. 1-7 is, in any case, included in the structure of FIG. 8, and the assembly of the hinge elements is accomplished in the same manner. Also, means similar to the raised portions 30 are provided in the structure of FIG. 8 to function in the same manner.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that simple, efiicient and economical means has been provided for accomplishing all of the objects and advantages of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims. Nevertheless, it should be understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention and the invention is not to be limited to the exact matters shown and described as only preferred matters have been given by way of illustration.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A hinge comprising the assembly of a first member having a pair of spaced superimposed coaxially apertured hinge leaves formed of resilient material joined together adjacent one of their ends, a raised abutment integral with said first member and disposed between said hinge leaves, a second member embodying a hinge ear having a pair of opposing outwardly directed substantially coaxial lugs one fitted into each of the apertures of said hinge leaves for rotation therein and a stop portion adapted to engage said abutment .to limit the extent of rotation of said hinge ear, said hinge ear further having a thickened area adjacent the portion thereof adapted to fit in between the inner sides of said hinge leaves which area is of a dimension slightly greater than that of the normal spacing between said hinge leaves to provide said hinge ear with a frictional fit between said hinge leaves when said first and second members are assembled, means in the form of guide slots one on each of the inner facing sides of said hinge leaves for facilitating making the assembly of said hinge leaves and hinge ear, said slots having cliff-like side walls and being so dimensioned and arranged as to each receive said lugs of said hinge ear adjacent the outer edges of said hinge leaves and to guide said lugs into said apertures in said hinge leaves when making said assembly by forcing the hinge ear in between said hinge leaves and said abutment between said hinge leaves being bifurcated by a slot to increase the resiliency of said hinge leaves.

2. A hinge for connecting a temple member to the frame front member of a spectacle mounting formed of resilient material comprising a pair of spaced superimposed coaxially aperrtured hinge leaves of resilient material formed integral with a first of said members and extending away therefrom, a raised abutment also formed integral with said first member between said hinge leaves, an interleaved hinge ear on a second of said members having a pair of opposing outwardly directed substantially coaxial lug parts one of which is interfitted within each of the apertures of said hinge leaves for rotation therein and a protruding stop portion adapted to engage said abutment inwardly of said hinge leaves to limit the extent of rotation of said interleaved hinge ear, said hinge ear having an area adjacent the portion thereof adapted to fit in between the inner sides of said hinge leaves which area is thickened to a dimension slightly greater than that of the normal spacing between said hinge leaves to provide said hinge ear with a frictional fit between said hinge leaves adjacent their respective outer edges when said hinge ear is assembled with said lugs thereof interfitted within the apertures in said hinge leaves, means in the form of guide slots one on each of the inner facing sides of said hinge leaves for facilitating making the assembly of said hinge leaves and binge ear, said slots having angularly disposed clifi-like side walls and being so dimensioned and arranged as to each receive said lugs adjacent the outer edges of said hinge leaves and to guide the same into substantially coaxial alignment with and into said apertures when making said assembly by forcing said hinge ear in between said hinge leaves and said abutment between said hinge leaves being bifurcated by a slot extended therethrough and partially into said first member to increase the resiliency of said hinge leaves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,305,562 Thompson et al. Dec. 15, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 914,793 France July 1, 1946 

1. A HINGE COMPRISING THE ASSEMBLY OF A FIRST MEMBER HAVING A PAIR OF SPACED SUPERIMPOSED COAXIALLY APERTURED HINGE LEAVES FORMED OF RESILIENT MATERIAL JOINED TOGETHER ADJACENT ONE OF THEIR ENDS, A RAISED ABUTMENT INTEGRAL WITH SAID FIRST MEMBER AND DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID HINGE LEAVES, A SECOND MEMBER EMBODYING A HINGE EAR HAVING A PAIR OF OPPOSING OUTWARDLY DIRECTED SUBSTANTIALLY COAXIAL LUGS ONE FITTED INTO EACH OF THE APERATURES OF SAID HINGE LEAVES FOR ROTATION THEREIN AND A STOP PORTION ADAPTED TO ENGAGE SAID ABUTMENT TO LIMIT THE EXTENT OF ROTATION OF SAID HINGE EAR, SAID HINGE EAR FURTHER HAVING A THICKENED AREA ADJACENT THE PORTION THEREOF ADAPTED TO FIT IN BETWEEN THE INNER SIDES OF SAID HINGE LEAVES WHICH AREA IS OF A DIMENSION SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN THAT OF THE NORMAL SPACING BETWEEN SAID HINGE LEAVES TO PROVIDE SAID HINGE EAR WITH A FRICTIONAL FIT BETWEEN SAID HINGE LEAVES WHEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS ARE ASSEMBLED, MEANS IN THE FORM OF GUIDE SLOTS ONE ON EACH OF THE INNER FACING SIDES OF SAID HINGE LEAVES FOR FACILITATING MAKING THE ASSEMBLY OF SAID HINGE LEAVES AND HINGE EAR, SAID SLOTS HAVING CLIFF-LIKE SIDE WALLS AND BEING SO DIMENSIONED AND ARRANGED AS TO EACH RECEIVE SAID LUGS OF SAID HINGE EAR ADJACENT THE OUTER EDGES OF SAID HINGE LEAVES AND TO GUIDE SAID LUGS INTO SAID APERTURES IN SAID HINGE LEAVES WHEN MAKING SAID ASSEMBLY BY FORCING THE HINGE EAR IN BETWEEN SAID HINGE LEAVES AND SAID ABUTMENT BETWEEN SAID HINGE LEAVES BEING BIFURCATED BY A SLOT TO INCREASE THE RESILIENCY OF SAID HINGE LEAVES. 